The Giants are 6-3. They are too well-coached, too battle-tested and have too much championship fiber and heart to collapse. It also doesn't hurt that the NFC East is the worst division in football. Folding up would be impossible for the Giants. They have Eli Manning. They have Tom Coughlin. That means they'll make the playoffs. And once they make it, their upside is to reach the Super Bowl -- and win.

Now, the Giants do have legitimate issues. Their passing attack hasn't had its usual sizzle in recent weeks; Sunday represented Manning's lowest passing-yardage total (125) in a single game in almost four years. Receiver Hakeem Nicks can't stay healthy, and when he's been on the field, he hasn't produced. The same goes for running back Ahmad Bradshaw. Offensive lineman David Diehl came back, but he looked like a recently injured player shaking off the rust.

However, I can't push the panic button based on what this group has accomplished. Victor Cruz has been dynamite this year, and while Manning has been in a minor slump, he's still elite, one of the five best quarterback in the game. I was stunned that the offense put up three three-and-outs in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh last Sunday. Considering Manning's knack for late-game dominance, I have to believe that was a one-time anomaly and won't become a second-half trend.

Coughlin was spot-on when he called his defense "soft" against Pittsburgh. The tackling attempts on the short pass to Mike Wallace, which turned into a game-changing 51-yard touchdown, were awful. New York's run defense was even worse.

The Giants have given up big plays in the passing attack. Their vaunted pass rush has been ordinary and inconsistent this season. But despite those struggles, the Giants have been solid in the red zone and have had a knack for making game-changing plays. See what happened in wins against the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, for example. Does anyone really believe these pass rushers will be held down all year? I don't.

It's easy to nit-pick the champs. Fact is, the sum has been greater than the parts during this 6-3 start. That's Giants football under Tom Coughlin.

2. Watt's the deal?

Literally, I wanted to know just that when I talked to Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt on SiriusXM Blitz this week. The current favorite to nab Defensive Player of the Year honors has a knack for batting balls away at the line of scrimmage. Watt explained that he studies film extensively and added, rather simply, "If I'm not going to get the sack, I need to make a play."

I love how the Texans have played this year, but I think the Bears are better. Chicago's defense has outperformed Houston's, and that's a statement. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, meanwhile, has been tough. Chicago wins a close one.

3. Baby bear

If Bears cornerback Charles Tillman's wife is having their baby on Sunday, he should be with her, enjoying every second of welcoming a daughter into the world, and not playing football. There is no other option.

5. Raider woes

Yes, the Raiders have major issues. As Martin proved (again), Oakland can't stop the run. The Raiders' own running back, Darren McFadden, is hurt. And I'll write it again: They don't have a quarterback.

I don't think the Raiders' quarterback for 2013 is currently on their roster. It shouldn't be Palmer.

6. Coming together in Baltimore

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams has been one of the unsung defensive heroes in the NFL this year. He told me this week that the club used its bye to focus on "unacceptable mental busts and stupid plays" on defense.

Harrison: Week 10 predictions

Two of the NFL's best teams face off Sunday night. Who will prevail:
Texans or
Bears?
Elliot Harrison provides his picks.
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